Johannesburg – Two foreigners were arrested in Booysens, Johannesburg, on Thursday for possession of dried perlemoen (abalone) worth about R1.5 million, the Hawks said on Thursday.

The men were arrested at a house in the Hill, near Booysens, after a tip-off, said spokesman Paul Ramaloko.

The arrests follow those of two Chinese men on October 14 in Pretoria. They were caught with dried perlemoen worth about R600,000.

Possession of perlemoen contravenes the Marine Living Resources Act. South Africa banned abalone fishing in 2008.

“They will appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court tomorrow 1/8Friday 3/8. They are charged with possession of abalone,” said Ramaloko.

Sapa